New Delhi: Narendra Modi is a state leader while Rahul Gandhi has a national stature, Congress on Wednesday said in a terse dismissal of suggestions that the upcoming Gujarat Assembly election could be a 'Rahul versus Modi' affair.

Senior leader Mohan Prakash, who is in-charge of party affairs in Gujarat, said that Gandhi would be visiting Gujarat shortly and would be campaigning there like any other state in the country.

"The question does not arise. Rahul Gandhi is a national leader while Narendra Modi is a state leader," party spokesman Rashid Alvi told reporters while replying to queries on whether the assembly elections will be a 'Modi vs Rahul' contest.

Replying to questions, he, however, said that Rahul would be leading the party whether it is Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat or Maharashtra.

The party also attacked Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's 'Vivekanand Yatra' with Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh saying that there are no similarities with Swami Vivekanand and Modi and it would have been better had it been called "Hitler yatra".

The Congress has been maintaining that election in every state is fought on the basis of local issues and all senior leaders, who are given the responsibility to campaign there, will do it.

"Gujarat Congress is ready for the electoral fight in the state. This imaginary tussle is being projected by Modi just to hide his shortcomings," is the refrain of AICC leaders.

Modi, seeking a fourth term in office, has utilized earlier elections to project himself as a national leader by consistently targeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as also Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Congress leaders feel.